Contemporary science presents us with the remarkable theory that the universe began to exist about fifteen billion years ago with a cataclysmic explosion called `the Big Bang''. The question of whether Big Bang cosmology supports theism or atheism has long been a matter of discussion among the general public and in popular science books, but has received scant attention from philosophers. This book sets out to fill this gap by means of a sustained debate between two philosophers, William Lane Craig and Quentin Smith, who defend opposing positions. Craig argues that the Big Bang that began the universe was created by God, while Smith argues that the Big Bang has no cause. The book consists of alternating chapters by Craig and Smith, with each chapter being either a criticism of a preceding chapter or being criticized by a subsequent chapter. Part One consists of Craig''s arguments that the past is necessarily finite and that God created the Big Bang, and Smith''s criticisms of these arguments. Part Two presents Smith''s arguments that Big Bang cosmology is inconsistent with theism and Craig''s criticisms of Smith''s argument. The authors'' arguments are based on Einstein''s theory of relativity, and there is also a discussion of Stephen Hawking''s new quantum cosmology.
Industry Reviews
'stimulating book ... The discussions take full account of recent scientific developments in cosmology and quantum gravity, and are articulated with great philosophical sophistication. They have raised the discussion to a higher though somewhat less accessible place than is to tbe found in numerous popular accounts of modern cosmology.'
Peter E. Hodgson, Oxford University, International Philosophical Quarterly
`The book represents a bold attempt to open a new discussion in philosophy of science (and religion). The breadth of the debate is impressive ... The book contains much of interest, not merely to philosophers, but also to scientists and theologians.'
International Studies in the Philosophy of Science
`Until the publication of this volume, there has been no easily accessible single volume offering a well-informed technical discussion of the issues involved ... It is very clearly written. Readers need not be daunted by pages of mathematical and logical symbols. The most technical parts may be omitted without losing the thread of the argument and the authors have helpfully provided non-technical appendices to assist the non-mathematicians among their
readers. Also very helpful are the comprehensive footnotes that make this book an invaluable tool for anyone who is seriously interested in these questions ... this volume will be a stimulus to a great deal
more careful thought on these matters.'
Theology in Green
`Craig and Smith have...produced one of the most important, interesting, and illuminating...treatises in the philosophy of religion that has appeared in print for many years.'
International Journal for Philosophy of Religion
`An exhaustive examination of the argument for and against the existence of God in the light cast upon this conflict of thought by modern knowledge of the Universe ... a medium of profound thought.'
Bible Study Monthly
`This book is an important and intriguing debate between Craig, an unshakable theist, and Smith who is equally firm in his unbelief. A brief review can do nothing like justice to the richness of Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology. Perhaps the book's most striking feature is the amount of pioneering work it contains. Remarkably few philosophers discuss cosmology's implications for theism.'
John Leslie, University of Guelph, Zygon, June 1996
`The focus of the volume is quite sharp ... thanks to some good adaptations and the fact that Craig and Smith sometimes engaged each other in the original articles.'
Journal of the American Academy of Religion
`A fascinating book. There is much wisdom in preparing a book in which two scholars interact from differing points of view ... I highly recommend this book to intelligent readers interested in the origin of the universe.'
Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith
`Those frustrated with the many apparently intransigent philosophical unclarities surrounding the issue of the status of big bang cosmology as evidence for a creator will be delighted to read this volume.'
Journal of the American Academy of Religion
